After more than five hours of debate, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted 23-12 on H.R. 2517 Wednesday, which would grant federal benefits to same-sex domestic partners of federal employees.
The bill would entitle domestic partners to myriad federal benefits, including medical benefits and long-term care insurance. To receive the benefits, the partner and the federal employee would have to sign an affidavit affirming that they are in a committed, long-term relationship and live together except for financial, work or other reasons.
Votes on the bill were split along party lines. Republicans spent several hours offering a series of amendments, including one to open federal benefits up to anyone living in a federal employee’s home.
The bill now goes to the full House for consideration.
For more on H.R. 2517 and the committee’s debate, check back with Federal Times Thursday.
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Financially discrimination against those who can not legally marry makes the federal government behind the curve for workplace competitiveness. This bill needs to pass with partisan support. It is good business.